Homeless Project Scotland (HPS) has been operating at 67 Glassford Street since December last year, running a soup kitchen, advice surgeries, and overnight shelter from the building.
Set up in 2019 and run exclusively by volunteers, the charity was given use of the building by owner Barry Cushley who said earlier this year the “service is desperately needed”.
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However, Glasgow City Council has now issued both HPS and Mr Cushley with a notice to stop using the building as a shelter as no planning application has been submitted for change of use.
The notice will take effect from October 18, with HPS having three months from that date to comply with the notice if there is no appeal.
A spokesperson for the council said it remains open to the charity submitting an application for change of use.
Colin McInnes, chair and founder of Homeless Project Scotland, has called the notice “appalling” and says the charity currently has architects working on a planning application.
He said: “The council has issued the charity with a notice to close the night shelter.
“We will be appealing this decision.
“The reason is we have not applied for planning permission for a change of use to allow people to be staying overnight. Unfortunately, you cannot plan for a housing emergency.
“We have architects working on it and putting together the application and the council know that but still, they want to shut us down.
“Glasgow was able to come together and open the Louisa Jordan Hospital during Covid emergency but not to allow a lifeline shelter for homeless people.
“On the one hand, Glasgow has a declared housing emergency, and the council can’t cope with the number of homeless people.
“But on the other hand, they want to shut down an emergency shelter that is providing somewhere safe for people to stay.
“These are people who have been refused accommodation by the council and without our shelter would be on the streets and could face death.
“It is appalling.”
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However, a spokesperson for Glasgow City Council said there has been a “lack of engagement” from the property owner and there is no evidence to show the shelter complies with Care Inspectorate National Standards.
They said: “The occupants have not submitted a planning application for change of use despite efforts to encourage them to do so.
“There has also been a lack of engagement from the property owner.
“Therefore, there has been no opportunity to scrutinise how the building is operated to ensure that it is safe, well managed and satisfies the relevant policies.
“There has also been no evidence provided to show that it complies with Care Inspectorate National Standards.
“There have been multiple crime reports and complaints linked to these premises since it began to be used as unauthorised homeless shelter in December 2023.
“Based on the available evidence, fears from residents and businesses that the unauthorised use of the building is directly contributing to anti-social behaviour and crime in the area appear to be well founded.
“To protect the safety and well-being of the community and given the lack of engagement from the occupants to progress with a planning application, we believe it is necessary to take action to cease the unauthorised use of these premises.
“It remains open for the occupants to submit a planning application for assessment through the usual process.”
Last week, residents discussed their concerns with the charity’s operation at Glassford Street at the Merchant City and Trongate Community Council (MCTCC) meeting on Tuesday, August 27.
One resident stated they had seen fighting and urinating in the street outside the shelter while another said their main frustration was that due to the charity not applying for planning permission, local people and businesses have not had a chance to comment on plans.
Concerns were also raised for the safety of people staying overnight in the building as they believe there is only one entrance to the building which they called “shocking”.
One person commented: “If you were a business and acting that way you’d be shut down.”
Cllr Angus Millar agreed the same rules should apply to all organisations regarding having the correct planning permission in place.
